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Facial growth dynamics dictate optimal facemask fitting during the first year of life

Bianca Haase1,2, Ana-Maria Badinska3, Julian Sowula1

  • 1Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|August 28, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Proper infant facemask fitting is crucial for emergency ventilation. This study analyzed infant facial growth, finding vertical facial changes primarily in the first six months, informing mask sizing recommendations for neonates and infants up to 12 months.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Craniofacial Development
  • Medical Device Design

Background:

  • Effective mask ventilation in infant emergencies relies on appropriate facemask fit.
  • Infant facial anatomy undergoes rapid changes during the first year of life.
  • Accurate sizing of respiratory masks is essential to prevent air leaks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate infant facial profile changes during the first year of life.
  • To correlate facial growth patterns with appropriate facemask sizing for emergency ventilation.
  • To optimize facemask selection for infants based on age and facial dimensions.

Main Methods:

  • A subgroup analysis of 32 healthy term infants from a prospective observational study.
  • Three-dimensional frontal photographs were taken at 3-month intervals to measure facial landmarks.
  • Facial growth was analyzed using Gompertz models, focusing on vertical and horizontal dimensions.

Main Results:

  • Significant vertical facial growth was observed, primarily within the first six months of life.
  • Mean nasion-gnathion distance increased from 54 mm at birth to 70 mm at 12 months.
  • Boys exhibited slightly larger facial dimensions than girls (average difference of 2 mm).

Conclusions:

  • The study suggests that 50 mm facemasks may be suitable for infants from birth to 2 months.
  • A 60 mm facemask is proposed for infants aged three to 12 months.
  • Further verification is needed to confirm the efficacy of these age-based mask size recommendations.
Abstract

Keywords:
facemask fittinginfant emergenciesinfant ventilationrespiratory supportthree‐dimensional imaging

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